SHELBY – Thousands crowded into the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, many dancing or relaxing in lawn chairs and on blankets.

As the sun set from a blue sky, MercyMe took the stage and performed a concert to help kick off the 2012 American Legion World Series.

The internationally known group will return to Cleveland County in August – and they’ll be joined in a concert that also includes Aaron Shust and The Afters.

You can now get your tickets to see the show Aug. 10, a kickoff day for 2013 World Series events that will also include a community festival for the first time this year.

“They’re on sale now, so people can go online or visit the (ALWS) office,” said Eddie Holbrook, co-chairman of the American Legion World Series executive committee.

Fairgrounds concerts the past several years drew thousands to see Ronnie Dunn, Montgomery Gentry and MercyMe.

Last year’s World Series baseball games attracted more than 100,000 fans to Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium.

For information on tickets to this year’s World Series baseball games, visit http://www.americanlegionworldseries.com/ticketinformation.php or call 704-466-3103.

Where can you get tickets?

* Visit the American Legion World Series office location at 117-A W. Warren St. in Shelby to buy with cash, personal check or credit card.

* The office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* Visit www.americanlegionworldseries.com/tickets to order with credit card.

How much are tickets?

* Reserved seats are $40.

* Festival lawn seats are $20.

* Groups of 20 or more are $15 per ticket.

When and where is the concert?

* Cleveland County Fairgrounds

* Saturday, Aug. 10

* Gates open at 4:30 p.m., concerts start at 6:30 p.m.

Can you get tickets at the concert?

* Tickets will be available the day of the concert at sales windows at the fairgrounds. There will be one will-call location at the fairgrounds.

Where can you get more info?

* Call the American Legion World Series office at 704-466-3103 or visit www.americanlegionworldseries.com.

Who’s performing?

* MercyMe – The band is visiting Cleveland County for the second straight year at an American Legion World Series concert. The band is internationally known for its 2001 hit “I Can Only Imagine” and has won numerous Dove Awards and an American Music Award.

* Aaron Shust – He wrote “My Savior, My God,” which became the most-played song of 2006 on Christian Adult Contemporary charts and won three Dove awards for Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year. He has since released multiple albums with awards, nominations and hits such as “To God Alone,” “Take Over” and “My Hope is in You.”

* The Afters – The Afters are a Texas-based rock quartet that has produced theme songs for several TV shows (“Beautiful Love” for MTV’s “8th and Ocean,” “Until the World” for ABC Family’s “Beautiful People” and “Light Up The Sky” for MTV’s “The Hills.”)

The Afters were the 2006 Gospel Music Association New Artist of the Year. The group’s most recent album release in April 2013 was “Life is Beautiful,” and the single “Every Good Thing” hit the top 10 in the Billboard Hot AC/CHR Chart. The title track was featured in the 2012 film “October Baby.”